Page 93 of Knot Just Their Nanny
I return her hug with a smile. “I know this is sudden, but when you know, you know. You know?”
“I know,” she says, pulling away and reaching for the kitchen roll to tear a piece off to dab at her eyes. “I’m just so happy Ben has found the right one. I never liked that Nicole,” she says under her breath. “We tried to tell him, but he wouldn’t listen, and then she got pregnant… You know what? None of that matters now. You’re here, and you’ve made him happy. I can see it in his eyes.”
“I won’t hurt him,” I murmur, knowing she needs to hear that.
“I know you won’t. You’re a good woman, Zara. A good omega and a wonderful mother to Mia.”
Tears prick my eyes at this validation. I smile at Susan, warmth swelling in my chest. “Thank you,” I murmur back. “That means a lot coming from you.”
With two cups of tea cradled in my hands, with Susan bringing the third, we make our way back to the commotion that is now our front door. The sight that greets me makes me chuckle; Ben is muttering under his breath, holding the instruction manual upside down, while Liam and Henry seem to be having a silent argument over which screw goes where.
“Here,” I say, extending the peace offering of a steaming cup towards them. Ben looks up, gratefully accepting the tea and taking a long sip before turning back to the doorbell cam with renewed determination.
“We don’t need YouTube,” Liam insists again, taking his tea, though his tone holds less conviction this time.
“Didn’t say anything,” I say before bending down to pick Mia up from where she’s gurgling happily in her pram next to the men.
Susan and I exchange smiles and she says, “Well, I’ll leave you to it. You look like you’ve got your hands full.” She gives Mia a soft kiss and a tickle under her chin, and then she leaves, shaking her head, her shoulders shaking as she holds back the laugh, I know she’s dying to let out because I am too.
Once she’s gone, the alphas finally concede defeat – sort of.
“Fine,” Henry says, putting down his tea on the side table. “Let’s give it a quick glance, just to check our progress, yeah?”
There’s a comical huddle around Liam’s phone as they watch and then mimic the steps.
“I knew that,” Liam huffs out. “See?” He proves it by showing the alphas what to do… apparently.
I settle on the couch with Mia cradled in my arms, watching these big, tough alphas fumble through instructions designed for mere mortals. I can’t help the laughter that bubbles from my lips when Liam drops a screw, and it rolls into oblivion, only to be followed by Henry’s cursing as he tries to search for it.
“We’re supposed to be good at this,” Liam mumbles, almost like he’s admitting defeat to the universe.
“You are good at many things,” I assure him with a grin. “This is just not one of them.”
Ben gives me a mock glare over his shoulder. “Tea and sarcasm, is it? That’s what we’re getting now?”
“Absolutely,” I respond, popping a dummy into Mia’s mouth as she starts to fuss. “It’s part of the service.”
Mia settles down, sucking contentedly as the boys resume their task. They look like some sort of modern art installation – three handsome men in various states of DIY disarray. Finally, there’s a triumphant click, and the doorbell cam lights up.
“Ha! Got it!” Ben exclaims. His eyes meet mine, and there’s triumph mixed with relief in them.
“Yes, you got it,” I say dryly. “YouTube got it.”
“Shut up,” Liam grins now, shaking his head but there’s no annoyance in his eyes, just playful irritation.
Henry stands back, wipes his hands on his jeans as if he’s just finished a masterpiece. “Check it every single time, Zara. Every single time. Okay?”
I give him a mock salute. “Got it, boss.”
He gives me the finger back, which makes me snort and jostle Mia into wriggling in my arms. “Nice,” I say.
He grins as I stand up and take Mia upstairs. She is ready for a bottle and some cuddle time. Ben follows me as I knew he would.
When we get to the top of the stairs, Ben’s hand finds the small of my back, a light touch that brings comfort and warmth along with it. I feel him close behind me as we walk into Mia’s nursery, the pastel colours and soft fabrics inviting us into a world filled with peace and love.
“Need a hand?” Ben asks, watching me prepare the bottle, his eyes flickering over Mia and then back to me.
“I’ve got it,” I say. “Unless you want to feed her? You must’ve missed her these last few days.”
